Michael Cheika insists he is not cheapening the Australian jersey by including Marika Koroibete in his European tour squad before the NRL convert has played a single rugby match at home.
Reaction to Koroibete’s selection in the 32-man touring group has been mixed but Cheika reckons it was a perfectly logical thing to do, saying it would allow him an up-close look at the Fijian flyer. He has been identified as a long-term Wallaby – ahead of his Super Rugby debut next year with the Melbourne Rebels.
“No one’s getting a jersey for free – no one has and no one ever will,” Cheika told reporters on Wednesday in a conference call.
“I’ll look at him at training. He’s obviously a fine player and a profile of out-and-out speed, a linebreaker, a guy who’s got a bit of X-factor.
“He’s got runs on the board – yes, in another code, but he’s grown up playing rugby. It’s not like he doesn’t know the game.
“(But) he’s not going to be jettisoned in there and start from game one. There’s a definite plan in what we’re doing.”
Cheika indicated Australia’s mid-week clash with the French Barbarians – a non-cap game to be played on November 24 in Bordeaux – would be the ideal opportunity to blood Koroibete.
“I’ve had a few discussions with him and met with him a couple of times about game knowledge,” he said.
“He’s still very, very well aware of what goes on in rugby and understands the dynamics of the game.”
Koroibete is one of three uncapped players in the squad, along with hooker Tolu Latu and utility back Kyle Godwin.
Cheika said he had spoken to two-Test winger Luke Morahan, the unlucky man seemingly bumped out of the Wallaby reckoning by Koroibete’s arrival.
“Yes, he would have been disappointed for sure, but I’m looking to grow the amount of depth of players that we have and (Koroibete) is one of the players that are on this tour who will help us in doing that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cheika admits he will have a fight on his hands to ensure in-form halfback Will Genia is available for Australia’s full tour.
The first Test against Wales and the last Test against England don’t fall inside World Rugby’s regulation nine window, meaning Cheika will need to negotiate carefully with French club Stade Francais.
“I see that the English clubs have released the Welsh players, they (decided) as a whole to release them as a block. I’m hoping I’ll get the same reaction from the president of Stade Francais but you never know,” he said.
double agent
Guest
Yes I've been hearing for years how great Godwin is but I'm still waiting to see him do anything.
Timbo (L)
Guest
"Cheika Logic" is a strange thing: The French "Grey Beards" AAC, Gitea, Mitchell,Ginea, all coming back from injury, all with little or no game time walk straight into the squad, most into the gold jersey. Ginea was the only one that paid off, although Swoop and Matt's injuries were just unrelated, rotten luck. Cheika seems to have a Tah's fetish and a gambling problem. Australia's performance suffers from both.
Peter Hughes
Guest
well imo Cheika should also be defending the selection of K Godwin. Godwin has been a Force journey man for yrs and is a total dud imo. He's done nothing of note there and couldn't make a single line break in the recent NRC either. Koroibete should never have been picked cos he's not even played a game yet but ............. at least he might have some potential.............. Godwin does not - he's just a solid player with no attack that kicks the leather off a football :)
kiwikrs
Guest
I'll put my hand up and say I thought he was the best 12. I could be biased but I don't think so as like I said previously I never believe he deserved the spot prior. Out of curiosity, which 12 in 2012 would you have picked before him?
kiwikrs
Guest
Yes that is what I meant. Was a bit distracted at the shops as I was replying and ended up with some dyslexia it seems. My bad. If that was what the sheep joke was in reference to then all good. Its clear now. My apologies. As for the selection I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. In my view there is no real difference between selecting a player for a touring squad and for the game 23 in regards to this. There are players who have been plying their trade at NRC and SR level for a number of years now and realistically more deserving of the spot. Add to that the fact that the ARU are haemorrhaging money it hardly seems like a sound investment. Leave Koroibete in Aust watch him during the first half of SR. Does he still have the required skills and understanding of the game to be worthy of the WB? If so bring him into the squad for the June tests. We shall both watch and see how this decision pans out though. I hope it works out because I really would like to see Aust in a much better position than it currently is even if it is so I dont have to hear as much about NRL/AFL every day :D
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
Is Cheika honestly trying to tell us that selecting someone who has never played just so that he can see them at training is not cheaping the WB jersey.? He must think we are all dim. I bet he will get a cap on tour. It will be in his contract. His first senior game of rugby will be an international.
Timbo (L)
Guest
This is quite an emotive debate. Many speak of cheapening the jersey and/or needing to earn it. I have mixed feelings about it. If you are being selected for the Olympics, there are no constraints, other than citizenship that will restrict you. One argument is that, provided that a player is the best player in their position, your history doesn't matter. By rule, you are eligible if you have 60 tests or an active SR contract. Excluding him from selection eligibility would be discriminatory. There is no doubt Marika is a fantastic athlete with terrific ball and running skills, let's keep an open mind and make the effort to find out if these skills translate to Rugby and if he can play nice with others. The road is rocky and in my opinion there have been a number of league players converting to rugby, but were picked on their NRL form, not their SR form and do not make well rounded international players. Izzy, Hunt Sonny Bill Sailor They are/were fair to good SR players but don't really seem to have the full deck to fit into a Rugby. It takes a 1000, hours to master a skill, these guys seem to have been about 250 short for this game. Korebete has at least a grounding in the game, I wish him well and am eager to see how it goes. I will be the first baying for his head if he gets selected and becomes a weak link. Same applies at the Rebels. He is competing with some talented guys there also.
Kitch
Guest
Yeah atleast he did have some rugby under his belt but certainly wasn't at super level! Hardly pick someone based on itm form! Who regarded him as no.1 12 in the world 2012? He was chosen For the team to play Ireland, but then If I recall rightly he then ditched the ABs to play rugby in Japan 2012 then went back to league! He certainly wasn't best 12 in 2011 bc Nonu was starting and was the no.1 for the ABs in the RWC.
PeterK
Roar Guru
obviously you meant to write actions speak louder than words but it was a funny sheep joke. The point is his actions so far do NOT match your interpretation at all. Cheika has not selected him for a wallabies test. he is looking at him for a Barbarians game which is not a test, many use these to experiment with. He see potential with what he has seen in the NRL and discussions with him. So if Koirebette KILLS it in the barbarians game he may be looking at a position in the 23.
kiwikrs
Guest
Care to elaborate or just engage in racial profiling?
kiwikrs
Guest
I agree. Although SBW had French, NPC and super rugby experience to judge him by whereas Kiroibete has nothing. SBW was largely picked as a crowd drawer and it wasn't until 2012 that he really became the #1 12 in the world. If Koroibete had the same rugby transition that SBW did then we could argue his selection merits differently. As if stands though he has just been parachuted in with 0 rugby credentials
Kitch
Guest
Didn't say he hadn't played! And lol mate !!...I think it's you who should do some research "before spouting off", as sbw was selected for the ABs BEFORE playing any super rugby! Played for crusaders 2011 but selected for ABs 2010 after an ok itm cup season with Canterbury. The fact he could only largely warm the AB bench shows just bc he was great and highly successful at league, didn't necessarily mean he'd be great at rugby! Plenty of people didn't agree with his selection as he hadn't 'served his time' at super level, and had no loyalty to the game! While not exactly the same for some simpletons, it was similar (as I said), in that the same questions were asked!
SAVAGE
Guest
SBW played for Tulon for two years, then went down to Crusaders for SR season before pulling on an AB jersey. You might want to do some research before spouting off. Abit different don't you think?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
and so your thinking is - if the Fijian grassroots system is churning out players, why not Aussie Rugby grabbing them? I think Diehard is right - soon Aussie rugby will be full of Tongans, Fijians and NZers...at the expense of home grown Australian boys...dont think that was condescending at all..!
Kitch
Guest
"No one gets a jersey for free.."... semantics!..the guy hasn't played a game for 6 years!!...when someone gets chosen for the national team , then to me they become a Wallaby/ AB no matter how irrelevant the game. Similar thing happened in NZ with sbw who's selection was based primarily on his reputation in league. Sure a big strong professional player, but was clearly out of his depth as far as rugby 'smarts' went. Felt sorry for the players who cut their teeth in npc/ super rugby. To me there has to be a pathway, a right of passage to the national team and one should play atleast a season of super rugby to see if they cope there first.This selection smacks of desperation and a typical cheika arrogance. It sends the wrong messege to the grass roots of rugby and to those who work hard through the grades, prove their worth and are on the brink of selection. When something is not earned then it becomes a gift....free! Sorry MC you're wrong.
Lara
Guest
Cheika tell us another one ,it will only get worse. Oz rugby must be in a bad way and desperate. Every league player can now see a back door if things go wrong for them and use it as a bargaining chip ....." I'm off to union ,if you don't ..."
Rebellion
Guest
First time I've agreed with Squirrel enough to publicly agree. Die hard I've never heard you criticise the All Blacks for raiding the pacific islands for decades - your constant pot shots are obviously more at Australian rugby and the Australian establishment / rugby community than any lip service paid to the jersey. If you're not prepared to address your own hypocrisy to scratch the itch of an all-too-familiar inferiority complex don't expect to not be called out on it
taylorman
Roar Guru
They'd have to have the patent for the design to do that though wouldn't they?
Bfc
Guest
Cheika sounds more and more like a politician... Morahan has been seriously 'dudded'...he can play #13, winger and fullback (he sure kicks better than Izzy..), and is a better tackler than the three wingers picked. He is also quick...seems to me to 'tick all the boxes'? Koroibete is a talent...but a Tour spot with zero rugby experience in 6 years? Hope he goes well no he has been given the chance though...
straya
Guest
Michael Cheika insists he is not cheapening the Australian jersey. If the ARU started selling the frilly bozo Wallaby jersey Cheika modelled for the NZ Herald on Saturday, they'd sell more of them than the playing strip.